Tag Archives: NBA

NEW YORK (AP) — Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram say they haven’t been told who Philadelphia will take with the No. 1 pick, so all they can go on is what they’ve heard. And Ingram was told not to do that.

“When I left the Sixers workout they told me not to listen to everybody, so I’m just listening to them and I don’t really read the reports that come out about anything else,” the Duke forward said.

The answer will come Thursday.

The freshmen are expected to be the top two selections in the NBA draft, and Simmons can’t wait to hear his name called.

“It’s surreal, but you know I’m looking forward to it,” the LSU forward said. “I feel like I’ve put in enough work to get to this point and I think everything else will take care of itself.”

Tucked in between a historic NBA Finals and a potential game-changing free agency period, the draft might be a little short on star power but not on drama. There were already a couple of trades Wednesday, with Chicago sending Derrick Rose to the Knicks, and there could be more action Thursday.

All eyes will be on Boston, which has the No. 3 pick and then seven more after that. If the Celtics want a veteran instead of adding more youth, packaging some of those picks might get it done.

“The teams know who they want and none of us really know that much,” Washington’s Marquese Chriss said. “I just think wherever I go it’s a blessing and I’m going to be very happy.”

Other things to watch on draft night from Brooklyn’s Barclays Center:

THEY WILL BE BUSY

Philadelphia: 1st, 24th and 26th picks

Boston: 3rd, 16th, 23rd, 31st, 35th, 45th, 51st and 58th picks.

Phoenix: 4th, 13th, 28th and 34th picks.

Denver: 7th, 15th, 19th, 53rd and 56th picks.

THE NEW YORK TEAMS WON’T

The loudest noise in last year’s draft came when Knicks fans booed the selection of Kristaps Porzingis, the No. 4 pick who they later embraced in his All-Rookie team campaign. But as it stands there will be nothing for New Yorkers to boo — or cheer — as both have traded away what would have been lottery picks. The Nets sent what would have been the third pick to Boston as part of the 2013 trade that landed them Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, while the first of Denver’s three first-round picks comes as remaining payment from the Carmelo Anthony trade five years ago.

“We’ll see what’s going to happen tomorrow on draft night,” said Bender, who played for Maccabi Tel Aviv. “You’re always hoping for the best, for sure, and it’s a lot of excitement, but you need to be realistic and wait for the moment.”

ONE AND DONE

Simmons and Ingram could potentially top a list of nine freshmen that go in the first round, a group that would include Kentucky teammates Murray and Skal Labissiere. The record is 13 first-round freshmen, set last year.

THEM AGAIN?

Picking at No. 8 will be the Sacramento Kings, who are as much a part of the lottery as lucky charms. This is their 10th straight season picking in the lottery (the top 14 picks), the NBA’s longest streak since the system to determine the No. 1 pick was instituted in 1985.

These won’t always be the matchups, but when they are the outcome of these battles within the game could prove critical in the NBA Finals: More details on the Final here CENTER: Andrew Bogut vs. Tristan Thompson. The Warriors turned … read more

The NBA Finals provides a rematch of last year’s championship series. Here are the details: No. 1 GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (73-9, 12-5) vs. No. 1 CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (57-25, 12-2) Season series: Warriors, 2-0. Golden State won 89-83 at home on … read more

The NBA playoffs begin Saturday in what figures to be an interesting run to the Finals. There are plenty of fascinating storylines, and more than enough drama to come. Here is a look at each series: EASTERN CONFERENCE No. 1 … read more

The great career of Kobe Bryant will come to an end Wednesday night against the Utah Jazz. Bryant had a 20-year NBA career; was a five-time champion and 18-time All-Star (more numbers on Kobe’s career). Here is a list compiled … read more

With his final game set for Wednesday night, Kobe Bryant’s epic career is almost over. Here it is in numbers big and small: 1 The number of league MVP awards given to Bryant. The 2008 winner also finished second in … read more

The Golden State Warriors win streak is over thanks to the Milwaukee Bucks (loved the fans wearing T-shirts that simply said “24-1”. But there is still plenty of history at stake: CHASING HISTORY How the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors compare … read more

The last time the Knicks picked as high as fourth in the NBA draft they took a fellow named Patrick Ewing. That worked out fairly well. Thursday night they took a player with a far higher risk in European prospect … read more

So, the Celtics had a roster centered on guards (some above average NBA players) and in the draft they naturally went for … more guards. Basketball boss Danny Ainge said he tried to move up in the draft, and hinted … read more

Sometimes, out of nowhere, real life and movies just intersect. And when it happens it produces this: Man charged in fight over whether Jordan or LeBron is better STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Police say an argument over whether Michael … read more